Related Stories

It has been captivating to watch the whole nation's interest in the Olympic Games — it has dominated our newsfeeds, social media and conversations around the proverbial water cooler.

On Saturday as the Games entered their final days, Australia's annual science festival — National Science Week — was launched. Even though science is vital to our future health, sustainability, prosperity, and even Olympic success, National Science Week got far less attention than the Olympics.

National Science Week is a significant part of our year as it reinvigorates the discussion of the importance and prevalence of science in our everyday lives. We are bombarded daily with scientific issues in the media and in our lives such as climate change, genetically modified foods, new health treatments, rovers landing on Mars and many more.

As consumers and citizens in the modern world, we need the ability to evaluate critically claims made in the name of science. Being science literate doesn't mean you have to be a professional scientist, but it does mean that you can use the processes of science and draw conclusions from the evidence around you.

This is important because we utilise science across many facets of our lives, not only for personal decision-making, but for understanding and participating in public issues such as climate change and water management. Greater science literacy helps us better understand and make use of science in our world. For example, it helps us evaluate and understand medical procedures recommended by a doctor or guides our decisions to utilise health products based on their proven effectiveness. It helps us ask the right questions and to make some judgement about the answers.

Scientific culture

Scientific literacy is not just about grasping the technical concepts, it is about curiosity, a questioning approach, and a willingness to test rigorously claims with evidence. These intellectual skills should be taught explicitly to all students across all levels of schooling, and applied to a wide range of questions and discussions, not only scientific ones. We want Australians to form their own well-informed positions on policy issues. We want Australians to understand what food security is, what the role of nanoparticles is in sunscreen, and what are the pros and cons of genetically modified foods.

A society with a flourishing scientific culture would also produce more practising scientists and researchers, which means sustaining economic competitiveness as we move into a knowledge-based economy.

Earlier this year, I released the Health of Australian Science report, capturing the current state of our country's science system. The report takes a comprehensive look at Australian science from multiple perspectives including school enrolments, university degrees, research spending, and industry engagement. From many perspectives, Australia is in good shape in the science arena. We produce well-trained, well-educated and knowledgeable graduates in a broad range of disciplines.

However there is no room for complacency.

It has become apparent that we are raising a generation which seem to be losing their connection with the wonders of science. They are not as engaged now as they once were, despite having access to and making use of the outputs and applications of science in their everyday life.

It concerns me greatly that attitudinal studies taken last year show that many students have an almost perverse view of science. And while I agree that science, maths and engineering hold the solutions to many of our future challenges, the assumption that science will always be there when we need it is risky, especially if we can't engage and inspire the younger generations to pursue science in the numbers we expect to need.

Earlier this year, I also released the report Mathematics, Engineering and Science in the National Interest discussing how to encourage greater participation in mathematics, statistics, science and engineering. As a response to the report, $54 million was committed by the Government to support science, mathematics and engineering education. This monetary commitment recognises the importance that these disciplines will play in our nation's future.

Investing in the future

As a developed nation, Australia needs to be an investor and contributor to scientific research and solutions as they are made. There is no reason why our capabilities cannot be put alongside other nations as we progress to improve our global future.

Australia should be an anticipator nation and not a follower — we need to give as we receive in a two-way flow of knowledge and know-how. Investment needs to be a long-term commitment in our national interest as we ensure our nation reaches its full potential.

This highlights just how important events like National Science Week are, to reignite that scientific spark for our younger generations and encourage them to be engaged and participate. Australians should be proud of what we have scientifically accomplished so far, and this should build our confidence to take it further and improve the livelihood of our nation.

As icing on the cake, you don't have to be a world-class scientist, or travel to London, to embrace what science has to offer. With National Science Week offering over 1000 events in your own backyard, there is no excuse not to get involved and share the wonders of science.

So next time you are having a conversation at the water cooler, talk about science, talk about National Science Week and share the excitement about our nation's scientific future.

About the author:Professor Ian Chubb is the Chief Scientist for Australia. Prior to his appointment he was the Vice Chancellor of the Australian National University.

Comments (8)

Comments for this story are now closed. If you would like to have your say on this story, please email ABC Science

Mart :

14 Aug 2012 7:48:58pm

I agree with you about more scientists (and engineers). But the fundamental problem is the jobs (or more accurately - training positions) just are not there. How many graduates dont get a job. What is the poiint in talking more graduates into a line of study that wont get them a job? That is the problem now.

EF :

16 Aug 2012 8:50:54am

Mart, I couldn't agree more. I'm one of those graduates who can't get a job. Good marks at uni, insane hours of volunteering and many hours wasted on job applications. There just isn't enough work. I genuinely believe I would be a great scientist given the chance but after 7 years of effort am beginning to think it's time to move on. No point in encouraging people to study if there's no chance of a career. But education at the younger levels does need to be improved so that everyday science can be understood by all.

Monut :

17 Aug 2012 1:21:35pm

I work in an office which has nothing to do with science. I'm an ex-entomologist, my supervisor is an ex-plant physiologist, down the hall is an ex-geoplogist and an ex-microbiologist. None of us could get work in our field of interest.

When my nephew came to talk to me about career advice I told him to be an account, he now makes more money then me.

Melba :

15 Aug 2012 7:48:54am

As a secondary science teacher I am amazed at the limited exposure to science students arrive at High School with. The AC may help to address this but the first and biggest issue is the fear and loathing of the majority of Primary teachers. The anxiety is neither helpful for them or their students.

Science needs to be fun and rigorous from toddlerhood, not a crash course in year 7/8.

MC :

15 Aug 2012 12:11:53pm

"It has become apparent that we are raising a generation which seem to be losing their connection with the wonders of science. They are not as engaged now as they once were, despite having access to and making use of the outputs and applications of science in their everyday life."

Maybe scientists need to do a better job of engaging the current generation? What use are magnificent findings if they're holed up in scientific journals? We need to do a better job discussing science at a roots level!

Ameski :

17 Aug 2012 10:51:55pm

I am a primary school teacher and would agree that science is not treated as an important subject. It is grouped together with technology which means children spend hours using interactive whiteboards and ipads but never touch a microscope.

Karen :

17 Aug 2012 11:33:03pm

I agree about the lack of jobs and I am in the same boat - but it (doing science) is also about the knowledge. I'd rather know what I know & be informed, aware and educated - albeit in other types of work, than have our nation end up with a majority of ignorant, superstitious, uneducated people, lacking informed reasoning... like certain other "western" nations (that we seem intent on emulating)... which is what will happen if we let science slip under the radar. Science should be mandatory in primary schools - the same as maths is. Everyone does maths, but they don't all try to get jobs as mathematicians. Science is all around us - in everything we see & do & have. We ALL need to understand it so as to proceed less destructively into the future.

Eligius4917 :

03 Sep 2012 11:14:45am

When I was in primary school in the Ninteen-Seventies, we had a mandatory subject called Natural Science. I always thought that was a preparatory course for high school science. Don't they study Natural Science in primary school anymore?